Senior Data Scientist
About this role
From discovery to deployment, you’ll apply the full suite of analytical techniques, from straight forward analysis to advanced techniques to solve real-world problems, working closely with both clients and internal teams to ensure solutions are practical, scalable, and aligned with business goals. What You’ll Do Design, implement and deliver great analytics solutions including advanced machine learning and statistical models to solve client challenges. Communicate complex findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Lead client engagements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality outputs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to scope and execute projects. Continuously improve methodologies and contribute to strategic thinking across the agency. What Makes You a Great Fit Client-Focused Problem Solving You love turning complex challenges into clear, practical solutions that make a real difference for clients. You know how to choose the right tools and approaches to deliver impact, fast. Adaptability & Creative Thinking You thrive in dynamic environments, iterating and evolving ideas to meet changing client needs. You bring creativity to the table and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. Planning & Delivery You’re a natural organiser who keeps projects on track without losing sight of the bigger picture. You spot opportunities to streamline, improve, and deliver smarter...not just faster. Collaboration You build strong, respectful relationships across teams and with clients. You know how to bring people together, break down silos, and make sure every voice is heard. Communication & Influence You communicate with clarity and confidence, tailoring your message to different audiences and using data-driven storytelling to influence decisions. What You’ll Bring (Technical Skills) 3–7 years of experience applying data science in a commercial or consultancy setting. Strong proficiency in SQL, Python and/or R Experience with supervised/unsupervised learning, NLP, time series modelling, and cloud analytics platforms. Familiarity with deep learning and generative AI (e.g., LLMs). Skilled in dashboard development using Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. A proactive, adaptable mindset with a focus on delivering client value.
What this role is, and what else it is called
Employers in Edinburgh advertise this kind of work as Senior Data Engineer, Customer Data Analyst - Professional Services (UK), Data Engineer and Lead Data Scientist Data Science · Charlotte Square, Edinburgh · Hybrid too, so it is worth searching more than one wording. It is a senior Data, AI & Machine Learning role in Edinburgh, advertised as on-site.
About hiring at Optima Partners
Optima Partners has 12 other live technology roles on its careers page, across Data, AI & Machine Learning, IT Leadership & Management and Enterprise Applications. Of those, 0% are advertised as fully remote and 62% as hybrid. Elsewhere in its adverts Optima Partners asks for Databricks and Spark. We have been observing Optima Partners hiring technology staff since June 2026. See all Optima Partners roles, salaries and stack.
How this role compares to the market
1,969 live UK roles list Python right now, from 583 employers. The median advertised salary is £80,000; 30% are advertised as remote. Browse Python roles.
1,142 live UK roles list Machine Learning right now, from 287 employers. The median advertised salary is £91,755; 41% are advertised as remote. Browse Machine Learning roles.
Edinburgh has 82 live IT vacancies across 29 employers, with a median advertised salary of £35,000. Browse Edinburgh roles.
Senior roles make up 1,632 of the live UK IT market and advertise a median of £80,000.
Market figures are today's snapshot of live UK roles on employer careers pages; see hiring trends.
Technologies mentioned
Detected on Optima Partners's careers page. ProdReady Recruitment lists this vacancy as an aggregator and is not the employer; applications go to the employer's own site. More IT jobs in Scotland.